FSQA to Target Unhygenic Street ‘Afra’ Selling Outlets
By Kumba Leigh
Afra’ is one of the most common street foods sold in the country. Its way of preparation, whether hygienic or not, gets ignored by most of its consumers, thus putting their health and wellbeing at risk.
Mr Mamodou Bah, Director General of Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA) has stressed that high temperature is one way of removing contamination in the food, however that does not mean general personal hygiene practices should not be observed.
Bah said that from January to date, the Authority closed down four Afra selling points as they were not abiding by the FSQA’s rules and regulations
He informed that the Authority has an inspectorate unit that inspects food vendors both day and night; that failure to comply with FSQA’s regulation and guidelines can lead to confiscations and automatic closure.
According to Mr. Bah, most of the food vendors in the streets are not knowledgeable on the essential hygienic practices on personal, environmental and even utensils used.
“Thus, there is the need to sensitise and educate them on the best hygienic practices and manners in which they can prepare their foods,’’ he noted.
He however highlighted that the Authority engaged experts in the area of nutrition, public health, officials of FSQA, Afra sellers, as well sought opinions of the public.
Mr Bah pointed out that personal hygiene is of great importance especially when it comes to food business.
He disclosed that since last year, FSQA, has a data management system to keep in record the registration process in order to enrich quality enhancement in the registration process, training on hygiene issues, and licensing for operation.
“The Authority had more than thirty trainings for food handlers on areas such as and general hygienic practices, personal hygiene as well as environment hygiene,’’ he revealed.
Director General Bah laid emphasis on the significance of personal hygiene standards; saying is not their mandate to provide ‘Afra’ sellers with structures such as glass cages. He however noted that they can map out plans with private companies for provision of such structures.
Further underscoring the importance of food hygiene, Mr. Bah revealed that the FSQA regulation in place has covered every food operating vendor in the country.
“With food vending, one needs to have a legal documentation, which includes identification card, medical certificate and Food Handling Screening Certificate (FHSC) to be able to operate,’’ he stated.
Mr. Bah said that the general public had raised concerns over hygienic issues over the preparatory methods, and food like ‘Afra’ being sold in open spaces.
The FSQA boss said experts have argued that the meat is rich in proteins, and other micro-nutrients like zinc, iron and vitamin B12 that are essential to the dietary need of a human being, and that roasting it under high temperature kill these nutrients, thereby expose people to the risk of illnesses like nitrosamine, and cancer.
